Need Tips for Dealing with Arthritis Pain

i hate taking anything. but i use Votaren on my knees and feet where my osteo is when i need to, but it is getting more rare as i become more active. losing this 30lbs will help immensely i imagine. but the biggest two things that has minimized my pain is moving to southern florida and eating plant based and no processed foods.

I get mine from a friend up here in Michigan north of where I live, he makes it himself. He sells it online as well.

never heard of minigin. Where do you buy it?

I also use an all natural salve called minagin on my joints that helps with the pain. It won't cure the arthritis of course, but it really helps the pain and won't effect meds you take. I like it because it is all natural and I don't worry that it will give me some allergic reaction.

Movement and more movement will help, although painful and initially discouraging.

wow, this is discouraging. Seems we just don't get good pain relief.

I take tramadol 50 mg every 4 hours when needed which is most of the time. It has never made me pain free but it does take the curse off of the pain.

Tiaprofenic Acid, twice a day had been wonderful. It worked for a couple of months until I got a little run down and then look out!!

I was on Celebrex for years, and at first it felt like a miracle drug, but soon my body decided nope, not going to co~operate.

Between Migraines and OA, pain is just part of my life ~ and I am looking for ways to kick pain to the curb!

Good luck in finding something that will help with the pain and pleeze pass it on ;)

Hope your having a good one today...

I take prescription Ibuprophen 600mg TID for the inflammation in my knees and it also seems to help with all of my other joints (I have arthritis in almost all of my major joints). I used to take Meloxicam as well, but it stopped working for me so my doctor changed me to the Ibuprophen. I also have recently started taking essential oils capsules but have not been on them long enough yet to know if they are helping yet. I have days with no pain at all, then I have days that I cry with each step. I am a waitress at Denny's so I am on my feet a lot. Good luck with your search.

Thanks to you and everyone else who shared valuable feedback.

Here is an article from Mayo Clinic on arthritis treatment. It also suggests yoga and tai chi.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/
DS
01122/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

I have rheumatoid arthritis, psoratic arthitis, vitiligo, and some osteo. I cannot take pain meds except for Tylenol and Tylenol for arthritis. I cannot take Celebrex or many of the fancy drugs as i suffer from acid reflux and had the Barrett's ring in the esophagus.

Hence I must minimize my inflamation. I eat more vegetables to keep my diet less acidic. I had more pain and acid when I ate more meat and protein. I stopped eating processed foods. When my husband went on dialysis, we also moved to organic foods. If I stick to 3 to 5 oz of protein per day, I have less pain and inflammation.

My RA is in my hands. I use compression gloves for sleeping and have a daytime pair of gloves with grip dots for exercise and working in the kitchen. I was given a prescription for Volaren Gel to rub on my hands, feet and knees.

You are free to post what is in your mind. We may not be able to respond if it involves detailed medical procedures. I already had people tell me their experiences.

Thanks for posting!

I TAKE CELEBREX. I USED TYLENOL 2'S, TYLENOL ARTHRITIS, ADVIL. I HAVE USED NSAIDS BUT CAN'T TAKE THEM AS THEY GIVE ME SEVERE CRAMPING IN MY LEGS. BEFORE USING ANY OF THESE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. IF YOU ARE TAKING A LOW DOSE ASPIRIN EACH DAY CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING AS THEY CAN BE CONTERACTIVE.

I have been taking Celebrex for a good 10-12 yrs now and couldn't imagine life without it. I've deemed it to be the miracle drug for me. *LOL* With that said, I agree you should discuss your reaction to your doctor. By the way, were these 'left over/old' prescription or was it a new prescription? If you took some outdated pills -- that could have been the problem.

FYI -- I go through my medicines every year and toss those out I don't take anymore or have become outdated.

Hope you get some relief soon.
Sunny

Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic re the medication:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-infor
ma
tion/DR601497/DSECTION=side-effects

One of the symptoms in the 'rare' section is 'fast, weak pulse"

..... in the 'overdose' section "Slow or fast heartbeat"

It is possible that you might be dose-sensitive to this drug - i.e. require a much lower dose than normal.

Anxiety is also something that most people (and Doctors) tend to overlook, i.e. a drug can put you at risk of anxiety symptoms (this is one of those drugs) and that can affect the way we breathe and our heart rate. It can actually mimic a heart condition.

Below are a couple more links:
(check out the Lifestyle and Alternative Medicines, too)
www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthr
it
is/DS00019/DSECTION=treatments-and-dR>rugs

www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/default
.h
tm

I would be inclined to talk with your Dr again..
Kris

DMS - - My husband has osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and in addition to his Plaquenil, he also used TART CHERRY JUICE 4 oz 1-2 times a day depending on the severity of pain. He has had good luck adding the Tart Cherry Juice. Many of the health and arthritic magazines have also suggested the Tart Cherry Juice for inflammation. Give it a try. Just be sure that it is the Tart juice - - the sweetened one doesn't seem to do much good. Red meat is also bad for inflammation so you might want to at least cut down on the red meats. I've been trying to get my husband off of the red meats but so far haven't had much luck in that area but he has cut down a little bit. My husband is also a heart patient and has COPD and has had no ill effects from the tart cherry juice. The Plaquenil is used primarily for Rheumatoid arthritis but is something that you have to be very careful with and have regular eye check-ups every 6 months as well as blood tests.

Judy

Edited by: JUDSTERF at: 6/1/2013 (21:40)

It sounds strange that your Dr suggest that you talk with others and find one so she will prescribe! I have had a lot to do with Drs over the years, for myself and as a caregiver, but can honestly say I have NEVER had a Dr make that comment.

I hope that you find something - I know that pain can be very debilitating. I actually have a cocktail depending on when (in relation to food), how bad, and where I am. I use Voltaren (soluble form re GORD) Paracode (Codeine and Paracetamol combined); Tramal; and Morphine. Fortunately, I haven't needed them much the last few months.

Kris

Thanks. I have heard about the tart cherry before. Maybe I can give it a try. Also, I should have been clear that I discussed the symptoms I had with Meloxicam with my doctor. The symptoms were new to her and she didn't discourage me from trying another kind. She actually suggested talking to others who have tried different prescription anti-inflammatories. If I find one that sounds worth a try she will give me a prescription. As far as supplements goes she had no suggestons. Sorry for any confusion I caused about the presciption anti-inflammatories. Again, that was not my intent.



Edited by: DMS1946 at: 6/1/2013 (20:15)

I never meant to sound derogatory in any way - just that how different medications affect different people is different. Also, there are often other medical conditions which need to be taken into account. We aren't qualified for that.

As far as pain relief is concerned, have you tried hot or cold packs? IF there is any swelling, have you tried a compression stocking and elevation?

It isn't really advisable to suggest OTC supplements because these NEED to be checked with your Dr - there can be contraindications, again depending on your health history and other medications.

Where it comes to your comment re heart palpitations, SOME anti-inflammatories have been know to cause heart issues where there weren't any previously. This is one of the reasons why you need to talk about it with your Dr.

Kris

I am with Slimmer on this, you should talk to your doctor about that med, it could be very important. As far as something natural, I use tart cherry capsules and they help me with my inflammation. You can find them many places online and sometimes for a reasonable price.

Gosh I feel bad for asking for feedback about the anti-inflammatories. My intent was to get feedback from users about their experiences with anti-inflammatories, not to ask anyone for medical advice. Are there are other restrictions I should no about?

Thanks!

Edited by: DMS1946 at: 6/1/2013 (20:01)

There are many different anti-inflammatory medications. Because what you have experienced is beyond the realms of SP, you need to discuss this with your Dr. who is qualified to deal with this.

Good luck,
Kris

I took the anti-inflammatory Meloxicam for a few months a couple of years ago without incident. However after not taking it for a year or so I took it again when arthritis in my knee flared up again. This time I experienced periodic erratic heart rate. It only occurred 2-3 times a day and lasted only a few seconds. I tried taking them again and the same thing happened. This worried me so I quit taking them. I should mention that I don't have any heart problems. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this with Meloxicam or perhaps another anti-inflammatory. If so, were they able to find another anti-inflammatory (prescription or supplement) that they could tolerate that helped them with pain.

Thanks everyone!


Edited by: DMS1946 at: 6/1/2013 (16:58)